What's Eric Eating

Planning out where to go for a first date can be hard, I mean there's so many places where could you take that special someone what do you even choose? If only there was an episode of a podcast that not only picked some of the best first date spots but also third date spots, casual weeknight date spots, and even breakup spots. Oh, well it turns out this episode of What's Eric Eating is all about t...

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Christian Hernandez and Priscilla Treviño of Barbacana . The pair speak with Eric about how their respective culinary careers began, where their careers have taken them, Christian's experience opening/working at March , the vision for Barbacana, what was it about Barbacana that attracted Priscilla to joining the team, developing their menu, sustainability/cons...

After a week off, Eric is back with a brand new episode of the podcast. Today he's joined by Houston BBQ Festival co-founder Michael Fulmer to dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The guys discuss the Houston chefs/restaurants that were named James Beard Award Semifinalists , Leaf & Grain getting set to open 2 new concepts in Memorial, and Koffeteria get...

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Marcos Juarez of Hidden Omakase . Marcos speaks with Eric about how he got into the culinary world, what led him to becoming a sushi chef, his time at Uchi , how he made the transition from Uchi to Hidden Omakase, working alongside Niki Vongthong, the changes he's implemented since taking over, the preparation needed for the different types of fish, what it m...

The Swanky Maven herself Felice Sloan joins Eric on the podcast today. The pair speak about Bagel Bob's HTX finding a new home in a space formerly occupied by Berg Hospitality , the opening of Aaron Bludorn's newest concept Perseid , and Goode Company  opening their new Kitchen & Cantina concept along with a speakeasy concept within it called Bar Buena . In the Restaurants of the Week portion,...

On today's episode Eric is joined by Cary Attar and Edel Goncalves of Fielding's Culinary Group . Cary and Edel return to the podcast for the first time since 2017, when the podcast first got started, so there was plenty to catch up on. The guys speak with Eric about how things have gone with Fielding's Culinary Group since they first appeared on the show,  what's been going on at both Fielding's...

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Chelsea Thomas of The Infatuation Houston to talk about some of the latest happenings from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss Bobby Heugel saving yet another local dive bar, Maximo getting rebooted, and the closure of Roka Akor . In the Restaurants of the Week section, Fu Fu Dim Sum & Hotpot is featured.    Follow Eric on Instagram/Threa...

Aaron Bludorn and Cherif Mbodji of Bludorn , Navy Blue , and Bar Bludorn join Eric on today's podcast. The guys speak with Eric about the current state of the restaurant group, what they're excited about coming up in 2025, how the Perseid project came about which is set to open this year at the new Hotel Saint Augustine , developing the menu at Perseid,  the French inspirations, how Bar Bludorn ha...

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to go through some of the latest and in this case surprising news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The surprising news being Austin Simmons sudden resignation from Tris plus the immediate closure of the restaurant. The guys also discuss Burger Bodega's announcement of a new Katy location and local concept Koffeteria making the New Yor...

Happy New Year! On the first podcast of 2025, Eric is joined by Alex Smith of Atlas Restaurant Group . Alex speaks with Eric about how he get started in the restaurant business, the Baltimore dining scene, why they decided on Houston rather than somewhere northeast, why River Oaks District was the right spot, the decision to close Ouzo Bay, what he's learned about Houston since coming here, possib...

Since it's the last day of 2024, it feels like a good time to look back at the year the Houston food scene had. Today Eric is joined by the Swanky Maven Felice Sloan, the owner of Heights Grocer Mary Clarkson, hospitality veteran & Houston BBQ festival cofounder Michael Fulmer, and Infatuation Houston writer Chelsea Thomas. The group discuss everything from the Michelin Guide's impact on the c...

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Ali Mesghali and Stephen Kaplan of Rumi's Kitchen . The pair speak with Eric about what led to the creation of Rumi's Kitchen, the tough early day's of the concept, the Persian influences, the passion for the concept as the restaurant has evolved, the beverage program, why Houston was the right next market for them, Houstonians welcoming reception, the future...

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston bar and restaurant scene. The pair discuss ElRo Pizza & Crudo closing down after service on December 31, and also the opening of Mercato and Company , a European grocery store offering items including Italian wines, pastries, cheese and charcuterie, European grocery items such as olive oil...

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Tim Reading of Leo's River Oaks . Eric and Tim discuss Tim's journey into the culinary scene, his time in Boston, coming to Houston, working with Hugo Ortega, what he would have changed with his first solo concept, his mission at Georgia James Tavern, the golden age of roast chicken (I couldn't not put that quote in the description), how the relationship with C...

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston bar and restaurant scene. The pair discuss Esquire naming Late August one of the best new restaurants in 2024 and Mary shares major news regarding a new venture she's embarking on. In the Restaurants of the Week portion Medium Rare is featured. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @ericsandler . Yo...

On the podcast today Eric is joined by Monica Danna to go through some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss Chef Shawn Gawle's announcement of his first solo project called Camaraderie which is set to open in the Heights in 2025, Austin based concept Honest Mary's setting it's opening in Houston window to fall 2025, and restaurants affected by I-45's expan...

On episode 427 of What's Eric Eating, host Eric Sandler was joined by Brad Moore of 'Big Star Bar' and 'Grand Prize' fame, and Lindsay Rae Burleson of 'Two Headed Dog' to have them judge, and declare a winner from the 'Ultimate Bar Draft' from the day before. His two guests also gave their own picks as to which categories, and bars were wrongly left undrafted. Follow Eric on Instagram/Threads @eri...

On a special episode of What's Eric Eating, host Eric Sandler is joined by 6 industry experts for an Ultimate Bar Draft, picking from topics... Best neighborhood bar, like a dive or casual bar Best cocktail bar Favorite martini, and favorite margarita Best bar food And a wildcard pick that can be anything, from any bar! His guests are Lawton Driscoll, Sean Fitzmaurice, Lainey Collum, Mary Clarkson...

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Stephanie Velasquez and Nicolas Vera of Ema and Papalo Taqueria . Stephanie and Nicolas speak with Eric about how they both got into the culinary scene, meeting/working together at Xochi , how they bonded over their passion for food/working in restaurants, how dining at a restaurant in Mexico became the inspiration for their own concept ideas, getting their f...

On today's podcast Eric is joined by Michael Fulmer to discuss some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene. The pair discuss the removal of one Houston restaurant from the Michelin Guide , what they'd like the Michelin Guide to improve upon in the future, the Houston Chronicle's Alison Cook announcement that she's leaving the Chronicle with her last day set for November 27th,...

Michelin Guide coverage continues on the podcast this week, with today's episode featuring 3 Texas Michelin star recipients: March , CorkScrew BBQ , and Hestia . First up, Eric is joined by June Rodil and Felipe Riccio of Goodnight Hospitality , then Nichole and Will Buckman of CorkScrew BBQ stop by, and finally Tavel Bristol-Joseph of Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group closes out the show. They al...

The Michelin Guide has announced it's selections for Texas , time to break it all down. On this episode, Eric is joined by Mary Clarkson, Monica Danna, and Michael Fulmer to discuss/react to the selections . Did Michelin get it right? What they think of the restaurants awarded stars? Which restaurants did the guide miss? How this sets up for future guide announcements? The group answers all those...

Brittany Vaughan of Garnish Design joins Eric on the show today. Brittany speaks with Eric about how she developed an interest in restaurant design, pivoting into restaurant design after working front of house for years, the common things that people don't think about when it comes to designing a restaurant (where are we putting the trash cans?), the subtle touches added to the design of Nancy's H...

Fluff Bake Bar's Rebecca Masson makes her triumphant return to What's Eric Eating! Eric catches up with Rebecca, then the pair dive into some of the latest news from the Houston restaurant and bar scene including Levi Goode's confirmation on last week's podcast that a new location of Goode Company's Kitchen & Cantina is coming to River Oaks, The Rice Box getting set to open it's 5th location,...

Today on the podcast Eric is joined by Levi Goode of Goode Company Restaurants and Credence . Levi speaks with Eric about his decision to open his first solo project with Credence, the inspiration for Credence, the design choices for the space, developing the menu, the personality of Sidebar at Credence , how Credence is different from Goode Company Restaurants, what dishes customers are loving so...